Clear-cut decision

[cleeng_content id=”471326794″ description=”Read it now!” price=”0.49″ t=”article”]Longtime salon owner says she’s thrilled to have put down roots at Head Hunters

RANSON – After more than a decade running her own salon first in Shepherdstown and then in Charles Town, Sandi Kastle believes she’s cut out to cut hair – not spend hours mired in all the tasks involved in operating a small business.
Earlier this month, Kastle shut down her Alter Ego Hair Studio at the corner of Liberty and Charles streets in favor of joining forces with Head Hunters Salon and Day Spa in Ranson.

Stylist Emma Weaning also has rejoined the staff at Head Hunters.“Now I can’t wait to get to work every day,” she said.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” Kastle explained amid a recent busy evening at the salon at 212 W. Third Ave. “I have no regrets about making the change. I just wish I’d done it sooner.”
Work is fun again, Kastle said. Getting to cut, color and style alongside Head Hunters owner Doug White and other talented hair professionals has her enjoying her career more than ever, she said.
“You learn things from each other and pick up on each other’s energy,” Kastle said. “Everyone here is so good at what they do, and so excited about doing it. You can’t help but feel great about being here.”
Serving as Alter Ego’s sole presence and splitting her time to cover all the duties of stylist, receptionist, owner and manager became grueling, Kastle said.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but what I realized is that all the many roles I had to play when it came to the day-to-day running of the business were taking me away from my true passion of doing hair,” she said.

Sandi Kastle said she’s delighted to have closed her Charles Town hair salon and become part of the staff at Doug White’s Head Hunters Salon and Day Spa in Ranson. “Now I don’t have to spend all the time that goes into running my own business,” she said. “Instead of dealing with all those headaches, I can just do what I love.”

Two others also have joined the staff at Head Hunters: Scarlett Brammer, a licensed massage therapist since 2006, previously worked as a massage therapist at luxury resorts in Northern Virginia and the Cayman Islands and Emma Weaning, who had been working as the manager of a small hair salon in Harpers Ferry.
Weaning is returning to Head Hunters, where she’d spent a decade as a stylist. “I loved it here and left only because I wanted to try being a manager,” the Jefferson County native explained. “I learned a lot in that job and I’m glad I had that experience but it’s great to be back here.”
Weaning said that she, like Kastle, is happy to no longer be a one-person show. “I have a very strong work ethic and having so much on my shoulders felt so draining after awhile.
“Now I can’t wait to get to work every day. Doug’s wonderful and so is the whole staff here. I love being a part of this place.”

Charles Town resident Scarlett Brammer, a licensed massage therapist since 2006, is now part of the staff at Head Hunters. “The power of touch can help lower stress levels and blood pressure, increase range of motion and relaxation, and manage pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia andother illness,” she said. “That’s hard to beat.”

Brammer, a Tuscawilla Hills resident who is married to Spirit sports editor Jeff Brammer, grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and first became interested in massage a decade ago.
After studying massage therapy at the Shenandoah Valley School of Therapeutic Massage in Woodstock, Va., Brammer became an instructor at the school. She said the perception of massage has changed greatly just in the past few years.
“More and more, people are finding the benefits of massage therapy in helping them achieve maximum wellness in their lives,” she said. “The benefits of massage are as strong as those reported for medications, acupuncture, exercise and yoga.”
Brammer, who works in a tranquil space upstairs at Head Hunters, said that helping clients boost their overall health brings her a deep sense of satisfaction.
“The power of touch can help lower stress levels and blood pressure, increase range of motion and relaxation, and manage pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia and other illness,” she said. “That’s hard to beat.”
Brammer has experience in a variety of approaches, including relaxation, deep tissue and hot stone therapies. She said she is happy to be part of the staff at Head Hunters, where clients come not only for hair care, but bronzing, makeup, Thai-style manicures and pedicures, and other services.
“The camaraderie between co-workers here creates such a pleasant work experience,” Brammer said. “I love the flexibility of the job and the short commute to work. I like the fact that I can be part of the community that I live in.”
Head Hunters’ deep roots in the area make it a special place to work, Brammer said. White first entered the field as a barber after graduating from Charles Town High School and now is happily in his 51st year in the business. He founded Head Hunters 40 years ago.
“The best part about working at Head Hunters is the relationships that I have formed and continue to form with clients that have been coming to the establishment for years,” Brammer said. “You never meet a stranger!”[/cleeng_content]